Yet another "stuff I'm currently into" update.

Veronica Mars: I really wish more people would watch this show. It's just brilliant. One of the reasons I enjoy the show as much as I do is because of both Rob Thomas' writing and his choice of music (I suppose that's two reasons; get over it). This first part of this season was a little sluggish, but now that we're into full swing the writing is as snarky as ever. Thomas peppers the dialog with pop-culture references and I really dig that.

Not only did last night's episode contain references to Chuck Klosterman, but Thomas chose to use a song by Leonard Cohen. I've never seen a single TV show use Leonard Cohen on it's soundtrack so Thomas gets a lot of credit from me.

Ferris Wheel Junkies: These dudes are a local indie rock band from Orlando. They've got kind of a Death Cab for Cutie feel to them with maybe a hint of Glenn Phillips/Toad the Wet Sprocket. Don't know how else to describe them but I definately dig their stuff. It's unique enough to be different, but familiar enough to be pleasing.

They don't have an album out yet, but I managed to get my hands on some mp3's via MySpace Music and Garageband.com. If anyone wants to hear them, give me a shout and I'll e-mail some of their tunes to you.

Dexter Gordon: I first got to hear Dexter Gordon on a Christmas Jazz Compliation Album. I'd heard of him before, but I never got to listen to him before that. Picked up his "Ballads" album and I really enjoyed it. Definately a thumbs up in my book. Smokey, dark, and just a really good example of what old school jazz should sound like. If you're a fan of Coltrane, Stan Getz or Vince Guaraldi, you'll probably really dig Dexter Gordon.

Erik's the Red; a Proprietary Red Wine from Toad Hollow: Toad Hollow has always been one of my more favorite wines, as I've found that every bottle under their label has a relatively unique flavor. There is always something that makes it stand out from the other wines in it's class. Erik's the Red is no different. This particular wine is a blend of 18 different kinds of grapes. This usually generates a fear of that many grapes as too many to create a distinct flavor, but Toad Hollow does a very impressive job.

Because I don't eat red meat, and only drink red wines I've become somewhat adept at picking reds that pair well with fish and poultry. I find this works very well when served with a heavier dish, such as duck or salmon. I am going to try this with my chicken and shrimp corn chowder the next time I make it and I suspect it will pair well with that too.

Lady in the Water: I'm having a very difficult time understanding why everyone hated this movie so much. While I wouldn't consider it M. Night's best, it's definately praiseworthy.

I think the biggest problem is that it's just not like his other movies. It's a bedtime story, not a suspense thriller with a plot twist. He has explained this time and time again. But everyone still goes into the film with the expectation of yet another incarnation of The Sixth Sense. This was nothing like it, nor was it intended to be.

I think the other reason I enjoyed this film is that I have much more of a mind for fantasy and I immediately linked it to older books and movies that I've read in the past. The introduction with the storyteller and the cave painting cartoon was very reminiscent of the animated Watership Down movie from the 70's and I was impressed by it.

Children of Men: Saved the best one for last. This movie was phenominal. Based on the novel by the same name, in a nutshell, it takes place in the very near future where, for unexplainable reasons, all the women on the planet become infertile. Imagine the absolute chaos and social and civil unrest that would accompany the foreknowledge that in 50 years mankind would be extinct. This movie captures that essence incredibly well.

It had a profoundly serious tone, and it's made even more eerie by the fact that it's totally within the realm of possibility; it's something that could conceivably happen. It was not "science fictiony" at all. The acting was incredible, as was the cinematography. There is a great deal more I want to say about this movie but that would require giving away plot points, and I don't want to do that. If anyone checks it out and would like to discuss, let me know. I highly recommend seeing it no matter what genre of movie you prefer.

That's all for now.

Boogieman out...

Current Music: Mark Kozelek - Four Fingered Fisherman